Our summer is flying by. It seems like just yesterday our students and young graduates were all excited as they headed for summer vacation!

Well, here they are now heading back to school, which will be kicked off by our WBID’s Annual “Back to School Sales Days” on Woodhaven’s Jamaica Avenue. Shop the bargains on your award-winning Woodhaven Business Improvement District’s Jamaica Avenue from Dexter Court to 100th Street, our “Everything Avenue.”

On Saturday, August 24, your WBID will sponsor Back to School Sales Days with the great musical group Plastic Soul, face painters and free giveaways, including as always our American flags.

Also, your WBID will be distributing quarters to all cars parking along Jamaica Avenue with a flyer reading “Thank you for shopping our WBID Woodhaven’s Jamaica Avenue.”

These activities all courtesy of your store and business owners that care enough to contribute to the WBID.

Buy, buy, buy, and then relax by eating out or ordering in at the many restaurants with good food, great sales, and fun events from your Woodhaven Business Improvement District. Only in Woodhaven! Where the prices are right, the streets clean and you can enjoy shopping and dining in a safe, warm, atmosphere.

We also will be distributing our store and business listing flyers so you know where they are located. On this list is our excellent Beat the Clock Printing. Frank and his staff are a great, longtime Jamaica Avenue printing establishment unique and expert for all of your printing needs. This is a service that very few shopping strips have.

Remember, during dry spells please use your air conditioner’s water for your street trees and plants.

Last week, due to the vicious attack against one of our own, the WBID had our security officers on Jamaica Avenue. There were patrols and a car paying special attention to the elevated train stations. There will be more of these random WBID patrols in the future. Although they are on the svenue only, they pay special attention to the El train stairways and open stores. So please keep vigilant, if “you see something say something.”

The GWDC/WBID staff and I attended the 30th Anniversary of the National Night Out Against Crime held at Buddy Memorial. It was a very enjoyable evening, sponsored by the 102nd Precinct, President Lachman Budai, and the 102nd Precinct Community Council.

That evening I had the pleasure of meeting the new chief of Queens South, Assistant Chief Kevin Ward, who we welcome to the 102nd Precinct. Chief Ward replaces our Assistant Chief James Secreto, who will be missed. We wish Chief Secreto well in Midtown North, they are very fortunate to have him.

It is truly a great feeling of pride as you travel through our Woodhaven Community and see all of the American flags flying.

Now mark your calendars for our Greater Woodhaven Development Corporation-sponsored “Wonderful Woodhaven Street Festival 2013” on October 20, from noon to p.m. This is Woodhaven’s big day!

The GWDC is again offering low cost home improvement loans. These loans at 2.5 and 5 percent are available for one to four-family homes. Please call our office at (718) 805-0202 for more information.